Aston Villa are closing in on the signing of Matteo Ruggeri from Atletico Madrid. The two clubs are understood to have broadly agreed a deal earlier this week, according to The Athletic, with the fee since settling at €25 million plus €1.5 million in add-ons, a total of around €26.5 million (approximately £23m). Fabrizio Romano called the move on August 13 and Ruggeri has since travelled to Birmingham for a medical, but the transfer had still not been formally confirmed by either club as of August 14, 2026.
The 24-year-old Italian left-back did not travel with Atletico’s squad to South Korea for pre-season, a clear signal that his departure from the Spanish club is imminent. His arrival at Villa Park would directly succeed Lucas Digne, 33, who completed a move to Paris Saint-Germain earlier this week.
The deal itself
The Athletic initially reported the agreed fee at around €20 million, before the figure settled at €25 million plus €1.5 million in add-ons, a total of around €26.5 million. Personal terms between Ruggeri and Villa are understood to be advancing. Ruggeri joined Atletico from Atalanta in the summer of 2025 on a five-year contract, leaving four years remaining at the Spanish club.
Digne’s exit cleared the way financially and positionally for Villa to move. The 33-year-old Frenchman completed his move to PSG on Sunday, August 9, for a reported fee of around £8 million to £8.5 million, per BBC Sport.
Why Villa chose Ruggeri over other options
Villa considered alternatives before settling on Ruggeri. Pervis Estupinan, now at AC Milan, was on their radar partly because he had worked under head coach Unai Emery during their time together at Villarreal. A fee disagreement with Milan ultimately ruled that option out.
Ian Maatsen, 24, who joined Villa in July 2024, was viewed internally as a long-term heir to Digne, but the club identified a gap in physical profile that Maatsen could not fill. At 6 feet 2 inches, Ruggeri offers a more imposing presence at left-back, and that physical dimension was reportedly a deciding factor in Villa’s pursuit.
Who is Matteo Ruggeri
Ruggeri came through Atalanta’s academy and built his reputation at the Bergamo club before moving to Atletico Madrid last summer. His most notable achievement came in 2024, when he won the Europa League with Atalanta and was named in the competition’s team of the season, recognition that reflected his consistency throughout the campaign.
Last season at Atletico, he made 47 appearances and recorded seven assists, contributing regularly from the left flank in Diego Simeone’s system. Internationally, he has represented Italy across multiple youth age groups and received his first senior call-up in March 2025, though he has yet to earn a cap for the Azzurri.
What it means for Aston Villa
Ruggeri slots into a Villa side that signed Alejandro Garnacho on July 23, on an initial loan from Chelsea with a conditional obligation to buy, to provide width on the left side of the attack. An overlapping left-back with physical attributes alongside a direct winger would give Emery a different dynamic on that flank compared to previous seasons.
Atletico, meanwhile, finished fourth in La Liga last season and lost the Copa del Rey final on penalties to Real Sociedad. Ruggeri played heavily in their system, so his departure leaves Simeone with questions of his own heading into the new campaign.
FAQ
How much are Aston Villa paying for Matteo Ruggeri?
The agreed fee is €25 million plus €1.5 million in add-ons, a total of around €26.5 million (approximately £23m). The Athletic had initially reported a figure of around €20 million.
What position does Matteo Ruggeri play and how old is he?
Ruggeri is a left-back who stands 6 feet 2 inches tall. He is 24 years old and holds Italian nationality.
Has the Ruggeri to Aston Villa transfer been officially confirmed?
As of August 12, 2026, the transfer had not been formally finalized, according to BBC Sport, though the clubs had broadly agreed a deal and personal terms were advancing.